Fearlessness in performance

I love to sing. Simple fact, but there it is.

If I recall correctly, I was first exposed to singing at age four with my “Sing-along Raffi” cassettes.

As the years went on, I found more and more opportunities to sing through elementary school chorus, Christmas caroling with my Girl Scout troop and high school show choir and musicals. After countless performances, I began to dream of one day performing on Broadway.

However, my glory on stage has been limited to those high school productions. I am the first to admit I don’t have the talent – let alone the guts – to pursue any sort of vocal or musical performance.

Although I’m not afraid to sing in front of others, I feel safest belting out to Taylor Swift, “Wicked” or The Beatles in my car, windows rolled up.

That said, I have the highest respect for people who get up on stage and sing to their heart’s desire. Last Friday evening, I was treated to just that.

A new developing student theater organization had a performance called “Dream Roles Cabaret” at Rachael’s Cafe to showcase its members’ talents and to raise money for its start-up. These singers performed songs from their dream roles – ranging from “A Chorus Line” to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to “The Little Mermaid.”

As each person got up on stage and performed their dream role, the emotion with which they sang moved me. Show business is hard to break into – a cliche we’ve all heard many times – yet these talented performers’ intent in pursuing what they love is laudable.

Shedding all self-consciousness, each singer passionately delved into his or her dream role, showing that performance is an important part in self-exploration and self-expression. Performance allows one to creatively express his or her emotion, and these talented men and women did just that.

Perhaps their fearlessness is an inspiration to those whose only “stage” is in the driver’s seat.